One thing worth mentioning for those considering a trip to WV is DO NOT SPEED in the area. The area's finest have a reputation for giving out tickets like candy. Friends of mine have been lucky recipients.
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Whats up With Waterville Valley?
- Thread starter UVSHTSTRM
- Start date
St. Bear
New member
If they ever did expand, I would most definitely consider heading back. However, as it is, I'd rather drive another 30 minutes north to Cannon for about the same price. Maybe if I had a few kids in tow I'd feel differently.
Vortex
Member
Not only is that the case, but the brook in early season.... as it steams.... the road gets covered with black ice. I have seen vehicles flip over in front of me. Its the state police that patrol it. The area goes from 55mph to 40mph in spots.
I've skiied there a lot but I prefer Loon or Cannon just because Waterville has no real "flow." Although there is a lot of vertical, it just feels to broken up and hard to access. If I have to wait in line, I'd rather wait at Loon because at least there I can get legit vertical per each lift ride, and it's easier to work my way across the mountain. On a crowded day at Waterville, though, it just sucks.
hrstrat57
Member
Used to have the opp to ski a lot midweek years ago and did quite a bit of WV primarily proximity and they took my PSIA card for comp without question at the time. Free or cheap skiing was/is always my favorite.
Midweek it was fine, and Gemma is a trail we would ski over and over. Hanging out in the mid mountain restaurant off that lift for a hot beverage was fun too.....
Weekends it was nasty, as others have said the mountain doesn't flow well.....the cruisers on the right side of the mountain I recall had what I would call reverse camber requiring strong turns to the right and weak turns to the left resulting in quick ski off to scratch and a lot of out of control low intermediate skiers.....I recall this being terrifying on weekends. Fun roller coaster trails for us stronger skiers not so good for other folks.
The lodge used to get sick crowded on weekends. Parking lot too.....get there at 0700 to boot up for first chair or regret it all day.
Haven't been back in about 15 yrs....maybe a mid week trip this year is in order just for giggles.....overall I have some fond memories of good times with good skiing but my recall is other than the true grit area it is a slightly bigger wa wa.
WV used to have a pretty strong ski school and race program as I recall.....others will need to chime in if that is still true. I had a couple PSIA buds who taught at WV and liked it.
The best skiing in that area is Cannon no doubt tho I haven't been back to Loon either since the renovations/ added terrain recently.
Midweek it was fine, and Gemma is a trail we would ski over and over. Hanging out in the mid mountain restaurant off that lift for a hot beverage was fun too.....
Weekends it was nasty, as others have said the mountain doesn't flow well.....the cruisers on the right side of the mountain I recall had what I would call reverse camber requiring strong turns to the right and weak turns to the left resulting in quick ski off to scratch and a lot of out of control low intermediate skiers.....I recall this being terrifying on weekends. Fun roller coaster trails for us stronger skiers not so good for other folks.
The lodge used to get sick crowded on weekends. Parking lot too.....get there at 0700 to boot up for first chair or regret it all day.
Haven't been back in about 15 yrs....maybe a mid week trip this year is in order just for giggles.....overall I have some fond memories of good times with good skiing but my recall is other than the true grit area it is a slightly bigger wa wa.
WV used to have a pretty strong ski school and race program as I recall.....others will need to chime in if that is still true. I had a couple PSIA buds who taught at WV and liked it.
The best skiing in that area is Cannon no doubt tho I haven't been back to Loon either since the renovations/ added terrain recently.
hrstrat57
Member
I guess directed at the OP by the way my kid is looking at PSU seriously - we went on a recent tour and PSU has hooked up with Cannon for their ski club deal we were told on the tour.
$8
Nice
$8
Nice
SIKSKIER
New member
We have the same attitude at Cannon but I'm not buying the "but that is the fate of ski areas without developable real estate since that's the only way to make enough $$$ to entice concomitant trail/lift development" argument.Cannon has never had 1 acre to build or sell RE in all its history.They have completed 3 phases of lift/trail upgrades in the last 10 years and more to come with the Mittersill expansion,though limited as that will be.Where there is a will there is a way and it doesn't get much more pesimistic than those of us that have skied Cannon for 30+ years.
UVSHTSTRM
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Cannon is run by the state correct? And funded by the state correct? If this is still true then you can't compare Cannon to WV or any other private resort. Bascally we pay for it once aka taxes, park fees, etc then we the residents who choose to make it there mountain pay again via lift tickets and food and beverages.
Oh and it's not often another ski resort basically helps finance another...aka Mount Sunapee.
riverc0il
New member
I get that deal as a staff member. But it is not Cannon every year and the price changes. The students vote on all the local options in a "blind" ballot system in which the mountain stats are presented without names. Pretty obvious who is who. I am hoping for Cannon again this season
Surprised it has not gone to Loon though with their park. What can I say, the kids at PSU know their terrain.
UVSHTSTRM
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I get that deal as a staff member. But it is not Cannon every year and the price changes. The students vote on all the local options in a "blind" ballot system in which the mountain stats are presented without names. Pretty obvious who is who. I am hoping for Cannon again this season
And they know how crowded loon can get.........
stomachdoc
Member
You don't have to look much farther than Loon to understand that the real estate=mountain development rule is correct. The only reason South Peak was finally opened was the condos going in at the bottom. The only reason Bobby Ginn bought Burke was the 750 condos, hotel and golf community he was going to put in. If the real estate market doesn't turn, Ginn will be out of Burke faster than you can say "foreclosure."
Johnskiismore
New member
WV is funny, when I was in my teens and in the Massachusetts Ski Club I LOVED going there! In my late teens early twenties I had fallen in love with SR and SL and the few trips per season I would go there. Wanted a day trip from the Boston area, thought of all the fond memories I had about the place and went back when I was 25. By the end of the day I could not remember why I loved this place. Not that it's terrible, but I was regretting not driving up the road a little to Cannon. I've met quite a few people who have the same thought. I did go back one more time three years ago, same results. Good, but there's so much better in the area....... except for the beautiful young ladies working as lifties from South Africa.
hrstrat57
Member
I get that deal as a staff member. But it is not Cannon every year and the price changes. The students vote on all the local options in a "blind" ballot system in which the mountain stats are presented without names. Pretty obvious who is who. I am hoping for Cannon again this season
PSU is nice, my kid is pretty dialed into it....even bought a sweatshirt on the last trip. Likes Green Mountain College to tho and my oldest went to Ohio Wesleyan so might end up there....all up in the air now. Obvious reasons why dad wouldn't mind visiting PSU in the winter
Re the skiing not knowing any better I always assumed all the kids went to Tenney or WV.....
Cannon is just outstanding at any price but $8 is ridiculous!!!
Didn't know you worked at PSU isn't that listed as one of the best schools to work for in NE?
We actually had a long chat with President Steen, she was very impressive. Nice lady.
riverc0il
New member
I run the Bookstore at PSU. So if you bought a sweatshirt on your last visit, we may have ever met and not known it at the time. PSU was voted one of the best places to work in a recent poll. Though technically, I don't work "for" the University.
President Steen is indeed a very impressive president for the University. Very passionate about education, the University, its mission, and the students and community.
stomachdoc
Member
I've always been incredibly impressed by the PSU students that I've met over the years, both in and around WV and even a few as my patients over the years. Plymouth is a really nice little college town as well!
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